Article breached press ethics code

An article in the General Workers’ Union’s weekly It-Torċa, which purported to identify a middleman who leaked information on the controversial power station extension tender, has been ruled in breach of the Code of Press Ethics.

The Press Ethics Commission has ruled that the allegation made in the report written by editor Aleks Farrugia was unfounded and untrue.

The article alleged that Wayne Valentine had handed information over to Reuben Portanier, a relative of the local agent for Burmeister and Wain Scandinavian Contractor, which was awarded the tender.

The PEC noted that Mr Farrugia had not tried to contact Mr Valentine for his comments and, after publishing the article on the front page, had not offered to publish a correction.

As a result of the article, Mr Valentine was interrogated by the police and interviewed by the National Audit Office.

The PEC concluded that the article constituted unethical behaviour but did not amount to character assassination.

Mr Farrugia was gravely censured by the PEC.

Mr Valentine is also suing for libel, a case which is still sub-judice.